Braves rumors: 4 ideal replacements for 4 toughest injuries so far

Braves replacement for Travis d’Arnaud: Eddie Rosario

No, I’m not suggesting that Eddie Rosario should gear-up and get behind the dish.

In terms of who’s going to play catcher for the Braves with Travis d’Arnaud sidelined with a concussion after a collision at the plate with Rougned Odor, we all know that Sean Murphy, the club’s big-time trade acquisition from the offseason, is the man for the job.

However, we had seen d’Arnaud spend more time as the designated hitter this season than at catcher, largely because of Murphy’s Gold Glove-caliber prowess defensively. So really, we’re looking at how Atlanta will fill the DH role consistently amid the team’s injry woes.

If we’re talking truly ideally, then the 2020 version of Marcell Ozuna would be walking through the door and taking up that spot. He has been a far cry from that player over the last two seasons and even worse to start this year, though, so don’t hold your breath on that happening.

While it might be still a bit inconsistent and require some platooning at the position against left-handed pitching, Eddie Rosario would make a lot of sense. Rosario went through a cold spell against the Padres but has overall showed a bit of a bounce-back in 2023 from a down performance a season ago, including going 4-for-8 with a home run and double against the Reds.

The veteran has proven to be a good bat with some pop and could be a nice asset to fill in for d’Arnaud at the DH spot. At worst, he’s still not an automatic out, which is what Ozuna has all but become.